Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 2

➊ { تَنْزِيْلُ الْكِتٰبِ مِنَ اللّٰهِ الْعَزِيْزِ الْعَلِيْمِ…:} In this surah, the Oneness of Allah, the Resurrection, and the fundamental beliefs of Islam, as well as the unjust disputes and contentious arguments of the disbelievers with the Muslims, are mentioned. In these two verses, six attributes of the One who revealed this Book are described in such a way that they provide a comprehensive answer to all the objections of the disbelievers regarding this Book.

The commentator Abdul Rahman Kilani (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "The fundamental objection of the disbelievers was that this speech is not revealed from Allah, but rather your own invention. Right at the beginning, it is stated that this Book is not from any weak being, but rather it is revealed from that Allah who ({الْعَزِيْزِ} i.e.,) is dominant over everything in the universe and, despite your hostile efforts and conspiracies, has the power to elevate and enforce His word. His second attribute is that He ({الْعَلِيْمِ } i.e.,) possesses direct and complete knowledge of everything, therefore, O disbelievers of Makkah! whatever (commands and) news are given in this Book, all are correct and certain. The third attribute ({غَافِرِ الذَّنْۢبِ}) is that He continuously forgives many sins of His obedient servants by Himself. The fourth attribute ({قَابِلِ التَّوْبِ}) is that if a disbeliever repents and enters the fold of Islam, He accepts their repentance and forgives their previous sins, and this attribute is not limited to new Muslims only, but any servant who, feeling remorse for his sins, turns to Him and seeks forgiveness, He also forgives his sins. The fifth attribute ({شَدِيْدِ الْعِقَابِ}) is that He can break the stiff necks of His rebels by giving them severe punishment, whether He gives this punishment in this world or in the Hereafter. And His sixth attribute ({ذِي الطَّوْلِ}) is that He is generous-handed (open-handed and of great bounty), constantly showering blessings, and does not deprive even His disobedient ones from it. After mentioning so many attributes, the reality of the two fundamental disputes that were ongoing between the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the disbelievers of Makkah is explained. The first of these ({لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ}) is that there is no deity except Allah; all other objects of worship are false, invalid, and useless. And the second ({اِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيْرُ}) is that the establishment of the Day of Resurrection is certain, and all of you will surely be presented before Allah." (Tayseer al-Qur'an)

➋ Allah Almighty, while describing His attributes, has mentioned attributes that include both mercy and punishment, and this is the way of Allah Almighty, so that both hope and fear remain present, as He said: « نَبِّئْ عِبَادِيْۤ اَنِّيْۤ اَنَا الْغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ (49) وَ اَنَّ عَذَابِيْ هُوَ الْعَذَابُ الْاَلِيْمُ » [ الحجر : ۴۹،۵۰ ] "Inform My servants that indeed I am the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. And that My punishment is the painful punishment." It should be noted that here, the attributes of mercy are mentioned more than the attributes of punishment. Thus, even before {’’ شَدِيْدِ الْعِقَابِ ‘‘}, there are two attributes of mercy, {’’ غَافِرِ الذَّنْۢبِ ‘‘} and {’’ قَابِلِ التَّوْبِ ‘‘}, and afterwards also {’’ ذِي الطَّوْلِ ‘‘}. The reason for this is the same as what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stated. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ لَمَّا قَضَی اللّٰهُ الْخَلْقَ كَتَبَ فِيْ كِتَابِهِ، فَهُوَ عِنْدَهُ فَوْقَ الْعَرْشِ إِنَّ رَحْمَتِيْ غَلَبَتْ غَضَبِيْ ] [ بخاري، بدء الخلق، باب ما جاء في قول اللّٰہ تعالٰی : «وھو الذی یبدء الخلق…» : ۳۱۹۴ ] "When Allah created the creation, He wrote in His Book, which is with Him above the Throne: Verily, My mercy prevails over My wrath."